FSU Working with Marion County Schools to Create New PROMISE Beyond Scholarship

FSU Working with Marion County Schools to Create New PROMISE Beyond Scholarship

Friday, December 09, 2011

In partnership with pilot schools in Marion County, Fairmont State University is developing an exciting new scholarship program for PROMISE Scholars in Marion County to be called PROMISE Beyond.

Dr. Quentin Johnson, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services, has begun meeting with principals of Marion County’s high schools to seek their input into the development of the new scholarship. A tiered scholarship program, PROMISE Beyond would give high school seniors who qualify as PROMISE Scholars through the state of West Virginia additional dollars in levels ranging from $500 to about $1,500 based on students’ ACT/SAT test scores. The scholarships awarded through this program would be a four-year commitment by the University, and students receiving these scholarships would be required to maintain a minimum GPA once enrolled at FSU. Johnson said more details about the new scholarship program will be available in December 2011.

“We are working with the high schools in Marion County to shape this new program and to define the criteria for each of the tiers in order to meet the needs of their individual student populations,” Johnson said.

“The initial launch of PROMISE Beyond will occur in Marion County, but we hope to expand in the near future to include Harrison and other counties in North Central West Virginia. Fairmont State is blessed to be located in a part of the state with high schools that have a strong academic tradition, and we want to reach out to Marion County students to make sure they know about the great opportunity available to them right here at home.”

Johnson said an added bonus of this program is that it is designed to attract the area’s best and brightest students and to encourage them to stay in West Virginia for their college education. FSU provides many opportunities for high achieving students, from first-class student services to participating in the Honors Program to interacting with faculty who are respected experts in their fields.

“Fairmont State faculty are talented educators who are knowledgeable in their fields, and they are involved directly with their students. The primary purpose for faculty here is to teach, and they do it exceptionally well. Due to the size of our campus, students have an environment that enables strong learning relationships with faculty and provides special opportunities for engagement,” said Dr. Van Dempsey, Dean of School of Education, Health and Human Performance.

FSU is a student-centered institution of first choice among students who desire a flexible and relevant learning experience. The University provides a well-rounded education, enabling students to gain the knowledge and skills needed for self-fulfilling, responsible citizenship and employability in a rapidly changing global environment.